Drug Legalization: Myths and Misconceptions

U.S. Department of Justice

Drug Enforcement Administration

220 W. Mercer Street, Suite 104 Seattle, Washington 98119

May 12, 1994

Dear Friends,

Law enforcement has a responsibility to be involved in the
prevention of all illegal or harmful activities. At this time in
our nation's history, there is no crime problem of graver
consequence than the drug problem. While law enforcement acts as
a deterrent to drug abuse and drug trafficking, we know that the
long-term answer to the drug problem goes beyond traditional law
enforcement actions.

In 1987, the Drug Enforcement Administration initiated a drug
prevention and education program when Special Agents were
assigned as Demand Reduction Coordinators in each of the agency's
19 field divisions. With limited resources they have provided
support, assistance and training to grassroots organizations.
Many requests are for information on the issue of drug
legalization.

Lee P. Brown, the Director of the Office of National Drug
Control Policy stated in the 1993 Interim National Drug Control
Strategy, "Drug use among our nation's youth has dropped
since its peak in 1985 and 1986, prompting some to conclude that
the drug problem, if not over, is no longer a crisis. This
conclusion is as dangerous as it is wrong. The loss of public
focus has also allowed the voices of those who would promote
legalization to ring more loudly and be heard more clearly. The
declines thus far in the use of drugs are in part because they
are illegal. Legalization is a formula for self-destruction. The
[Clinton] Administration is unequivocally opposed to any 'reform'
that is certain to increase drug use."

S/A Tom Pool has compiled and edited a list of the most common
arguments used by proponents of drug legalization. These
arguments fall into eleven general areas, hence the eleven
chapters in the attached manual. These arguments are analyzed and
information is provided to defeat these arguments.

This manual will be revised and expanded. I solicit the
readers to assist us by submitting comments, position papers,
research, and documented sources of information to:

S/A Tom Pool - Demand Reduction Coordinator

Drug Enforcement Administration

220 West Mercer Street, Suite 104

Seattle, WA 98119

Tel: (206) 553-5443

I hope that this "debate manual" will prove
useful to the police officers, parents, teachers, and others
faced with the myths and misconceptions of drug legalization.